it is pure malice
It is indeed. It's like with those paper drinking straws that melt in your mouth whilst disposable plastic cups and plastic cup covers are still used. Not to mention plastic bags, plastic boxes and plastic pretty much everything. But the drinking straw must be paper - not because it's ecological, as you have to use 3 of those before you finish your drink, but just to show you that you are a piece of sh*t who has nothing to say, they can decree what they want, and there's nothing you can do about it.
And there's a cherry on top - those paper drinking straws, which are supposed to be used to reduce plastic waste,
come in plastic packaging (to avoid contamination because paper is hygroscopic ha ha :D). So the purpose is not ecology but to show you your place, your worth (zero). Green Khmers are ruthless.